What are the methods to treat stomach acid?

Gastric acid, also known as hyperacidity, is a common gastrointestinal disease. Appropriate gastric acid in the stomach can help the stomach digest. If there is too much gastric acid, it will easily lead to stomach diseases and duodenal mucosa, gastric ulcers, etc., which are very harmful to the stomach. It can be treated by taking medication, taking some antacids, or undergoing surgery. In daily diet, you should also pay more attention to not eating too much spicy and irritating food, and do not eat high-temperature food. In terms of diet, you must maintain a regular diet and try not to eat foods that are difficult to digest.

Causes of gastric acid

When one's lifestyle is irregular, one is under mental stress, overly tired, in a bad mood, smokes heavily, undergoes surgery, has severe burns or has a bacterial infection, the cerebral cortex will become dysfunctional and will not be able to properly regulate the nerves that secrete gastric acid, leading to increased gastric acid secretion. Increased gastric acid can lead to chronic gastritis, gastric or duodenal ulcers, etc. Certain drugs that are harmful to the stomach, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as aspirin, indomethacin), reserpine, and phenylbutazone, can cause increased gastric acid secretion. Improper diet, irregular meals, long-term alcoholism, spicy food, overly sweet, overly salty, overly spicy, overly sour, overly cold, or overly hot food can all lead to increased gastric acid secretion; certain whole grains, sweet potatoes, potatoes, etc. contain a lot of starch, sugar, acid, etc., which can stimulate the stomach to produce a lot of gastric acid. In addition, indigestible foods, drinking too much soda, and the remaining sugar fermenting in the gastrointestinal tract can also induce pantothenic acid.

treat

1. Medication

(1) The use of antacids and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).

(2) Antacids are divided into the following categories according to their effects: ① Absorbable antacids: such as sodium bicarbonate. ② Non-absorbable antacids: such as calcium carbonate, magnesium oxide, aluminum hydroxide (tablets or gel), magnesium trisilicate, etc. Liquid or powder antacids are more effective than tablets. If tablets are used, they should be chewed before swallowing. When using antacids to neutralize stomach acid, you should pay attention to increasing the frequency of medication. You cannot rely on increasing the dosage of the drug. Generally, you should take it once 1 hour and 3 hours after each meal and once before going to bed, for a total of 7 times a day. The duration of antacid treatment should not be less than 3 months. Inorganic weak alkaline substances can neutralize excess gastric acid, reduce the ability of pepsin to break down gastric wall protein, weaken or eliminate the corrosive and irritating effects of gastric acid on the surface of gastric and duodenal ulcers, and promote the healing of the ulcer surface. The goal of acid-free therapy is to allow the ulcer to heal completely, which usually takes 8 weeks. Symptoms often disappear long before the ulcer has completely healed. Therefore, the disappearance of symptoms should never be used as a criterion for stopping antacid therapy. Otherwise, symptoms will return quickly, which is actually a worsening of the original ulcer rather than a recurrence of the disease. The duration of antacid therapy should not be less than 3 months.

2. Surgery

If the symptoms of excessive stomach acid persist, surgery may be needed to effectively relieve the symptoms.

3. Dietary guidance

(1) Do not eat frozen or very hot food or drinks. The temperature of food should be moderate. Tea, water, and soup should not be too hot.

(2) Do not consume too much spicy, sour, or salty food. The diet should be light.

(3) Eat less spicy foods, such as chili peppers, garlic, onions, chocolate, citrus fruits, mint, tomatoes, etc.

(4) A small amount of ginger and pepper can warm the stomach and enhance the protective effect of the gastric mucosa.

(5) Do not drink alcohol or coffee. Especially alcohol, which can cause excessive stimulation to the stomach and make ulcers worse.

(6) Eat regularly and avoid overeating. It is best to eat small meals frequently. If you feel hungry or have stomach discomfort, eat a small amount first.

(7) Do not eat before going to bed.

(8) Do not smoke after meals. It is better to quit smoking.

(9) Raise your head or the head of the bed when sleeping.

Prognosis

1. Reflux of acidic contents in the stomach is often caused by excessive secretion of gastric acid and is more common in functional dyspepsia, reflux esophagitis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, and chronic gastritis.

2. More than 70% of the white-collar workers who are busy and under high pressure have experienced problems such as acid reflux and heartburn. The high incidence of acid reflux among white-collar workers is mainly due to work pressure and busyness. They have no time to ensure regular three meals a day, which keeps the stomach in a state of fatigue for a long time, thereby increasing the risk of gastric spasm.

3. Strong alcohol, acidic drinks and stimulating condiments are all "dangerous elements" that cause gastric acid reflux. Excess fat can also delay gastric emptying, stimulate gallbladder contraction and secretion, and reduce esophageal sphincter pressure.